• Show you love them and say it. Tell your children every day, “I love you.” Give them hugs and kisses frequently.
• Listen when your children talk. Listening to your child tells them that you know they are important and that you are interested in what they have to say.
• Make your children feel protected. Comfort them when they are scared. Show them you have taken steps to safeguard them.
• Provide order in their lives. Keep a regular timetable of meals, naps and bedtimes. If you have to change the timetable, tell them of the changes ahead of time so they can adjust.
• Praise your children. When your child learns something new or behaves well, tell them you are impressed and proud of them.
• Criticise the behaviour, not the child. When your child makes a mistake, do not say, “You were stupid”. Instead, explain what they did wrong. For example, say, “Running into the street without looking is dangerous”. Next, tell the child what to do instead, “First, look both ways for cars”.
• Be consistent. Your rules do not have to be the same as other parents, but they do need to be clear and unfailing.
• Spend time with your little ones. Do things together, such as reading, walking, playing and even cleaning the house. What children want most is your attention and your time. Bad behaviour is typically an attempt to get your attention.